If you are new to the sport please think it through

[Shotgun wg]

U want to know what it cost. Well I figured up roughly what I spent last year. I would bet my figure is on the low side of actual. I don't have lease dues either. I figured GPS and cut vest on a pro rated figure. Initial cost divided by number of years life expectancy. Almond with other big ticket items that are used solely for hog hunting.

I spent over $11,000.00 last year. This includes all aspects of expense.

There is no telling the man hours spent. Duck hunting cost way less than this. So does deer hunting. No telling how many times I came in late from work to feed and care for dogs. It's just part of it.

This is why I always say it best starting out to find someone to go with. U can learn a ton and ease ur way into it instead of trying to go whole hog and spend way more.


Shotgun
Arkansas

[muleskinner]

To the hunter who asked what it cost. I did not include the cost because someone will take it wrong and say I'm bragging or showing off. Now that you have asked I will share some cost references. Polaris crew ranger 13600, plus lift kit bigger tires rigging hood adds around 2000 more. Sea container for storing feed,gear, and Polaris  with delivering and extras 5000 then you can add dogs and anywhere from 5000 and up for gear and dogs easily. Then there's kennels and the skies the limit on those.  Lots of man hours cleaning and feeding. It's 1000 dollars every time I buy feed. Then there's up keep for dogs. It's easy to spend 35000 to get started. You can go hunting in Africa cheaper. And we still haven't added gas, Polaris maintenance , or vet bills. So divide what it cost per year to hunt by how many pigs you will catch and you will b surprised by your answer. I hope this helped.

[Judge peel]

Hey devildawg86 just throw away your check book lol in this game you need to be all in

[devildawg86]

To the hunter who asked what it cost. I did not include the cost because someone will take it wrong and say I'm bragging or showing off. Now that you have asked I will share some cost references. Polaris crew ranger 13600, plus lift kit bigger tires rigging hood adds around 2000 more. Sea container for storing feed,gear, and Polaris  with delivering and extras 5000 then you can add dogs and anywhere from 5000 and up for gear and dogs easily. Then there's kennels and the skies the limit on those.  Lots of man hours cleaning and feeding. It's 1000 dollars every time I buy feed. Then there's up keep for dogs. It's easy to spend 35000 to get started. You can go hunting in Africa cheaper. And we still haven't added gas, Polaris maintenance , or vet bills. So divide what it cost per year to hunt by how many pigs you will catch and you will b surprised by your answer. I hope this helped.

i like to know what it cost because it all cost. was it 35k to start or is that your investment to date. can i spend 35k on hog hunting and live to tell about it, hell naw! everything has a price associated with it, thats a fact, if i had someone to tag along with i would. but i always like to have my own. can i have a yard of 30-40 dogs, no. can i keep 3 or 4, take care of their health, feed them and provide the care they need beyond my own ability, yes. it would be alot easier if i had someone to partner with, rome wasn't built n a day and i am just doing my due diligence. great topic, good advice keep it coming. this thread will answer alot of questions i have and others.

[devildawg86]

Hey devildawg86 just throw away your check book lol in this game you need to be all in

let me update my life insurance first judge lol

[Barco]

I mainly read the posts here on this site, never really comment or express my opinion.  Been hunting hogs since the 70's with my Dad...But this post, my friends, hit the nail right on the head.

Good Luck and God Bless America. 

[muleskinner]

You could minus the sea container if you hade a place for the rest but I didn't. And you can google prices on Polaris , kennels,garmin,tracking collars, dog box, cut vest and collars, trailer for Polaris, dogs and so own if anyone wants too. You can check for yourself or ask someone who has. I promise you there's people on here with a lot more invested than me. Good luck

[charles]

Hey devildawg86 just throw away your check book lol in this game you need to be all in

let me update my life insurance first judge lol

Lol, yea the other half would need the extra to pay the lawyer fees.

[charles]

Muleskinner, ur sea container, im assuming thats what in the military we call a shipping container right? A big metal box similar to an 18 wheeler trailer, but can be loaded on ship or rail car? Not tryin to b a smart a$$, but if its the same thing, iv nvr heard it called a sea container.

[muleskinner]

Charles I'm sure your right. I see them loaded on big boats and also on truck trailers like you mentioned. I used to work in refineries and they called them sea containers or conex buildings. I bought them because they are rat proof. I added two of those spinning vents to mine. I bought the 53 foot one because its taller and wider than the 40 or 45. I also put in a metal door on the side.

[charles]

Ahh, yes, conexes. Thats anothr name we called them. I see why u paid 5k plys delivery too, a 53'. Im lookin at gettin a 40' or 45' but the local place is selling the 40'ers for 6k, delivered with in 50 miles. I ask about me picking it up and it was still 6k, so im gonna hav to wait till i find another place to get 1, 1 that aint just rusted through in places and dont an arm n half a leg.

[devildawg86]

You could minus the sea container if you hade a place for the rest but I didn't. And you can google prices on Polaris , kennels,garmin,tracking collars, dog box, cut vest and collars, trailer for Polaris, dogs and so own if anyone wants too. You can check for yourself or ask someone who has. I promise you there's people on here with a lot more invested than me. Good luck

dont doubt u one bit. i have checked the price on the garmin, cut collar etc... and it is expensive, no doubt about it. but i try my damnest to not pay the dumb ass price if their r options. trade, barter, build and if necessary buy. ( dumb ass price would be full retail). i see the sport as a way to get to work with my dog, meet some good folks and have fun.

[YELLOWBLACKMASK]

Another cost cutting tip .......

Learn how to tend your own. Instead of depending solely on vets for general maintenance care and minor first aid issues.
Whip out a staple gun or stich kit and sew em up yourself. Way to much info available these days to say you cannot do it yourself.  When in doubt .....ask someone for help and step by step directions of how to do it.

Just make sure the person trying to answer the question isn't greener than you are.......but suffers from knowing it all.

[aussie black mouth curs]

Yep I think its more important to get good mates to hunt with before you get a dog or dogs...pay your way, have fun, be prepared to help with the mundane things and you'll go a long way....and learn a lot for when it comes time to get your own dog.

As a dog owner I find it easier and preferable to take mates who don't even own a dog.  That way I can work my own dogs without worrying about theres.  There always seems to be too many dogs for the work you have.  I feel if I'm doing most of the running around organising, hunting my spots then I should be able to work and teach my own dogs as a priority.

Hog hunting does cost a lot.  But you've gotta have a passion.

T

[easttexasoutlaw33]

This kinda seems more like a brag thread to me people do need to know the cost but it doesnt take anymore than few thousand to start it is expensive over time. I wont mention what i have in it but saying it easily takes 35K is ridiculous. That is because you want to hunt in a ranger crew cab and have all the top of the line fancy stuff which is not necc to all people. Not saying thats wrong but it can be done for way less just my 2 cents

[justincorbell]

This kinda seems more like a brag thread to me people do need to know the cost but it doesnt take anymore than few thousand to start it is expensive over time. I wont mention what i have in it but saying it easily takes 35K is ridiculous. That is because you want to hunt in a ranger crew cab and have all the top of the line fancy stuff which is not necc to all people. Not saying thats wrong but it can be done for way less just my 2 cents

I agree, hell I hunted on a cheap little 1000$ fourwheeler for the first 3-4 years without a garmin or tracker of any sort for that matter. It can be done for MUCH cheaper than 35k, MUCH MUCH cheaper. Most of the things we use today are not necessity, they are things we use to make our lives easier, think about it 40-50-60yrs ago the guys rounding up their hogs/ cattle didn't have garmins or shock collars or fancy buggies to ride around on and they managed just fine. the most important things regarding this sport in my opinion are making sure you have the money to fall on to properly care for your dogs in the event that you do have a dog that requires vet care but like yellowblackmask said, there is TONS of information online regarding animal care and alot of things you can handle yourself by doing a little research beforehand. Good luck in the future, to say this sport is addicting is an understatement.

[muleskinner]

Easttexasoutlaw I wrote that and sure wasn't bragging. A gentleman asked and I told him as an example. It was at the end of the thread that was not were this thread was heading. I hunted off of mules for years. After some bad experiences riding and some high dollar doctor bills and airvac charges I bought a Polaris. I did not brag at all and was asked and even said there's people with a lot more invested than that. If you can get everything you need for a coupe thousand than you need to be the one bragging not me. The Polaris is also used for farm use. I work out of state alot and when I do get to hunt I don't wont to be chasing mules or working on wore out equipment.

[easttexasoutlaw33]

Easttexasoutlaw I wrote that and sure wasn't bragging. A gentleman asked and I told him as an example. It was at the end of the thread that was not were this thread was heading. I hunted off of mules for years. After some bad experiences riding and some high dollar doctor bills and airvac charges I bought a Polaris. I did not brag at all and was asked and even said there's people with a lot more invested than that. If you can get everything you need for a coupe thousand than you need to be the one bragging not me. The Polaris is also used for farm use. I work out of state alot and when I do get to hunt I don't wont to be chasing mules or working on wore out equipment.

Didn't say it was wrong but I agree as long as you can properly care for your dogs and the land you hunt then how you do the rest is up to you

[charles]

 how is it bragging. like he said, some1 ask, he answered. he doesnt need any1s permission to spend HIS money. if he wants to buy top $ equipment, then that is HIS choice and its his choice to do it in the way the suits HIM, no1 else. iv got a lot tied up in my equipment, but I started out on foot and with nothing but dogs, 11Bs, eyes and ears. took me several yrs to get a tracking system, then several more yrs to get me an atv, but I bought it as I got the money. with a broke back and busted out knees and ankles, and several more ankle injuries, I decided to get me a wheeler, more for the medical aspect than to just spend the money. if he wants to buy a conex to keep his machines and equipment and dry goods dry and out of the weather, and be able to secure it, then why bust his balls over it. I agree with muleskinner, if u can get by with spending less and accomplishing the same thing, then that's more to brag about than ole' joe snuffy spending a lot more and accomplishing the same tasks. try taking some midol or something and chill out. uv been on a rampage on 2 different topics busting folks balls, ill gladly giv the name of my crazy/anger meds if it will calm u down.   

[Marano man]

Let them "make their own bed an lie in"